How the World’s Most Dangerous Wave Got Its Name ?
The first documented ride at Pipeline was in December of 1961 by Californian Phil Edwards and captured on film by legendary filmmaker Bruce Brown. Californian shaper Mike Diffenderfer called it "Pipeline" after large concrete pipes being laid in nearby Kamehameha Highway.
Locals called the beach "Banzai" after the small beachside nursery of Bonsai trees.
Pipeline rears up 50 feet from shore and showcases waves of up to five stories high that march shoreward before exploding upon a barely submerged coral reef.
Hitting with speed and power, these swells launch off the shallow reef, abruptly 'jacking up' from just a few feet in height, to 15 or 20 feet in a matter of seconds. The effect of this is a hollow, barreling wave that has made the name "Banzai Pipeline" famous around the world.
Probably the best-known surf spot in the world, Pipe is capable of pulling the most incredible disappearing acts. In a slack winter with lots of smaller north swells and bad wind, the casual observer, rolling up to Ehukai Beach Park and gazing west, wouldn't have any idea it was there.
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